Meet the new high priest of showbiz

Thursday 16 April 2009 19.01 EDT
First published on Thursday 16 April 2009 19.01 EDT

Pray silence please, for the introduction of a new Lost in Showbiz character. He is part of our spring/summer collection, his name is Bishop Jonathan Blake, and he is quite the most intriguing man of God.

Describing himself as an "on-call bishop, featured extensively on television, radio and throughout media", His Reverence is ordained into something called the Open Episcopal Church. If you are not a congregant, though, you may remember Jonathan from such recent appearances as the priest who blessed Jade Goody's marriage, or the priest who stood outside the church at Jade's funeral and explained to people that she wasn't dead.

Jonathan's other works included officiating at the first gay wedding live on Richard and Judy, and he has also married people underwater and over the internet.

But if you missed these outings, I do urge you to take a look at Jonathan's website, to which he thoughtfully provides his police background check (clean, as if we nursed the remotest suspicion). It sits alongside a welter of fan letters from satisified worshippers, which contain things like, "You have such a warm, outgoing and loving personality. You are kind, sensitive and creative". Or, "I have suffered many chairpersons, for to chair a meeting successfully is a rare gift. I have known only two really good ones. You are one of those."

But it is the Bish's blog that gives the greatest insight into his mind, with a recent post appearing to suggest Jade's canonisation. "I think that Jade's grave will become a shrine," he declares, "and that many with cancer and other troubles will pray to her ... for help and be comforted."

Jonathan, you are formally welcomed into the Lost in Showbiz communion, and we shall be keeping a pastoral eye on you as you continue to expand your profile.